3 South Koreans claim trial to kidnapping compatriot, demanding ransom

3 South Koreans claim trial to kidnapping compatriot, demanding ransom

The three men, aged 28 to 40, are accused of demanding a RM39.7 million cryptocurrency ransom for the victim’s release.

Kwon Kyung-ryul, Kwak Jae-il, and Kim Myeong-joon were charged under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, which provides for 30 to 40 years’ jail and whipping. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Three South Korean men pleaded not guilty at the sessions court in Raub, Pahang, today to charges of kidnapping a compatriot last month.

Bernama reported that the alleged offence also involved a ransom demand of around RM39.7 million in Tether, a cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar.

Kwon Kyung-ryul, 28, Kwak Jae-il, 40, and Kim Myeong-joon, 40, entered their pleas after the charges were read out to them in Korean by a court interpreter before judge Noor Zaihan Ali.

The three men are accused of acting together to obtain a ransom of USDT10 million after unlawfully confining a 40-year-old South Korean male at Km16, Jalan Genting Highlands, Bentong on April 17.

They were charged under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, which provides for 30 to 40 years’ jail and whipping.

Deputy public prosecutor Fathin Nadhirah Kasim requested a new case mention date to allow for the submission of documents and appointment of legal counsel for trio.

She also told the court that the South Korean embassy had been notified of the case. The court set June 29 for the next case mention and denied bail to the accused.

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